Novels by Stuffy

Neal’s POVFor the first time since the accident, I felt something strange, strength. Not the kind you wake up with after a good night’s sleep, but something sharper, heavier, almost unnatural. My ribs still ached when I shifted, but the pain wasn’t half as bad as it had been yesterday.I tested my arm, raising it slowly. The bruises looked ugly, black fading into yellow, but my muscles moved easier than they should have. I clenched my fist and uncurled it again, watching my fingers like they belonged to someone else.When the nurse walked in, her eyes widened. She stopped mid-step, staring at me like I’d just gotten up from the dead.“You’re sitting up,” she said slowly, as if she didn’t believe her own words.“Yeah,” I muttered, adjusting against the pillows. “Guess I’m tougher than I look.”She didn’t laugh. She only frowned as she checked the machines. My heartbeat was steady. My oxygen levels were almost normal. Too normal. Her hands hovered, unsure if she should write something

Elisa’s POVThe steering wheel felt like ice under my hands. I’d been sitting in the hospital parking lot for almost an hour, the engine off, my heart beating too fast. I could see the glow of the building through the windshield, the big glass doors that kept sliding open as visitors came and left. It should have been simple, walk inside, check on Neal, sit by his bed like a loyal wife. But my chest tightened every time I pictured his eyes.Not the loving eyes I used to know. No. The eyes I saw last night when he looked at me like I was a stranger. Worse, like I was the enemy. There was something different about him after the accident, something harder in the way he stared at me, like I had already been judged and found guilty. And maybe I had.Because the truth was, I had betrayed him. I didn’t stand by him when he needed me most. While he was lying broken on the pavement, I ran to Jack. I chose Jack. And now, no matter how I tried to twist it, And no matter how I tried to hide it, I

Neal’s POVThe room was quiet, but I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Elisa’s face at the roadside, bent over Jack like I didn’t even exist. I saw the text I’d read in those frozen five seconds, He won’t last. Then it’s ours.That line cut through me deeper than the car ever could.I shifted on the bed, a sharp pain shooting through my ribs, forcing a groan out of me. I bit it back, clenching my jaw until the wave passed. The hospital ceiling felt too close, the walls too tight. I wasn’t just hurt. I was trapped.The door opened quietly, and Dr. Helena Voss walked in. Her steps were calm, deliberate, like nothing surprised her. She carried a clipboard in one hand and glanced at the machines around my bed before she looked at me.“You’re awake,” she said softly, almost like she was relieved.“Barely,” I muttered, my voice rough. “Feels like I’ve been run over by a truck.”She gave me a small smile, though her eyes didn’t quite match it.“That’s because you were. Broke

Neal’s POVThe first thing I noticed was the smell. Antiseptic. Sharp, clean, almost stinging my nose.Then the lights hit me, bright, white, unblinking. I squinted against them, forcing my eyes to adjust as my chest rose and fell like it was carrying bricks.Every breath hurts. My ribs screamed. My throat was dry, like I’d swallowed sand.And then the beeping came into focus. A heart monitor. Steady, irritating. Proof I was still alive, even though part of me wished I wasn’t.I blinked again and saw her, dark hair tied back, white coat, a small badge clipped to the pocket. She couldn’t have been older than forty. Her voice was calm, smooth, and professional as she leaned over me.“Mr. Neal? You’re awake.”My lips cracked as I whispered, “Where… am I?”“St. Mary’s Hospital,” she said. “You were struck by a vehicle. Broken ribs, bruised lungs. You’re lucky you survived.”Lucky.That word sat bitter on my tongue. Lucky would’ve been Elisa choosing me instead of parading Jack in my face.

NEALI punched him again on the face, and this time his nose cracked, followed by the spray of blood. "Please, stop!" He cried, his voice breaking. I threw him down onto the sidewalk, before slamming my knee into his chest. He coughed, and gasped, curling up, but I pulled back up and shoved him against the curb. "You think money makes you untouchable?" I yelled, landing another punch."Neal! Stop!"The voice cut through the haze in my head, but I did not look."NEAL!"That's when her voice registered. I turned to see Elisa running towards me, eyes wide with shock. She grabbed my arm just as I raised my feet again. "Stop it! You'll kill him!"I looked down at Jack. His face was a bloody mess, his lip was split, and one of his eyes was swollen shut. He groaned, barely able to lift his head."Get out of my way, Elisa," I growled."No! This is too much! You're being violent again!" She shouted before stepping between us.I was stunned. Violent again? "He pushed me into the road! I almos

NEALThe cool morning air hit me in the face again as I emerged from the house. I walked down the driveway, shoes scuffing against the cracked pavement. My heart was pounding like a drum, but it wasn't from running or fear. No. It was anger. White-hot, choking anger.I did not look back at the house. I didn't care to see her standing there while Jack came after me. My mind was done trying to make sense of her choices. It was done trying to forgive. I'd decided to just take a little walk before leaving, because I feared something bad would happen if I got into my car and drove in this state.I walked to the roadside, where the traffic on the main street was already busy with commuters. Cars zipped by, engines were roaring and horns were honking every so often. I stood near the curbs and stared across the road, not really seeing anything.My jaw was so tight and my hands were clenched again. She called me here to what? Rub it in my face? Ask me to cook for him? I felt sick. I'd done ev